"The idea of an Indian casino built on non-tribal land in downtown Lansing is less fanciful than when proposed in January thanks to a pointed federal court ruling that said the state of Michigan and assorted Indian tribes have no standing using the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act for their anti-casino lawsuits.

The Bay Mills Indian Community opened (and was forced to close) an off-reservation casino in Vanderbilt in 2010. It’s what the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians plan in Lansing. The tribe wants to purchase land adjacent to the Lansing Center and place it in trust. If the U.S. Department of the Interior agrees — and it has for at least five tribal off-reservation casinos — the tribe will build its casino. Of course, other casino owning tribes in Michigan don’t want new competitors in their lucrative market. And Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette vigorously oppose gambling in Lansing."

Get the Story:
Editorial: New ruling could help casino project (The Lansing State Journal 8/24)

6th Circuit Decision:
Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community (August 15, 2012)

Related Stories:
Debate continues over gaming expansion efforts in Michigan (8/23)